Truck driver saves life of woman in fiery highway crash

Ronald Roninger does not consider himself a hero. State police would disagree.

The 59-year old truck-driver from Lake Ariel was rear-ended by Waymart resident Sierra Derrick while driving west past mile-marker 7 on Route 6 around 6:10 a.m. Friday, state police at Dunmore said. Mr. Roninger was unharmed in the cab of his tractor trailer. However, Ms. Derrick, 27, was not wearing her seat belt and was knocked unconscious by the collision.

"I didn't take any time to think, I just acted," Mr. Roninger said in a statement released by his employer, Fox Transport Ltd.

State police said Mr. Roninger pulled Ms. Derrick from the car shortly before her 2006 Saturn Ion became engulfed in flames, and credit him with saving her life.

"I hope the young girl is OK and makes a full recovery from the accident," Mr. Roninger continued in his statement. "I do want to thank the other Good Samaritans who helped me just before EMS arrived."

The highway westbound was closed for about two hours until one lane was opened for traffic, state police said.

Ms. Derrick was taken to Geisinger Community Medical Center for moderate injuries where she was treated and released. State police said she was distracted just before the accident and took her eyes off the road. She will be cited for careless driving and for not wearing a seat belt.

Reached by phone, Jessica Manzo, vice president of Fox Ledge Inc., of which Fox Transport is a carrier, lauded his actions.

"We recognize because of his quick thinking and fearless actions, it resulted in saving the young lady's life," she said.

The company gave Mr. Roninger the rest of the day off.

Contact the writer: jkohut@timesshamrock.com, @jkohutTT on Twitter

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